£600 Mondingo Estate - Shedding Virginity!!!!
Discussion
Ok so I was running an E70 X5 which I bought AUC last year, it was a stunning car and perfect for the family duties asked off it, through the winter it kept us warm and safe and on the road.
Last month my wife treated herself to an A1 S-Line which is our 'nipping about' car and useful for the school run, clubs etc. she works from home so it doesn't see huge mileage and I have to say initial impressions of the 1.2TFSi are very good!
So a change at work sees me commencing a course in April which will last for 3 months and will also entail a daily jaunt up and down the motorway with a boot full of kit. I was reluctant to use the X5 all be it possibly the perfect car for such a job, the main reason being it was on 86k which for a '10 plate car, I felt was 'nice' mileage but aware it was getting close to the psychological numbers of 90k and I knew the 3 month course would push it well up into the 90k range and ever closer to the 100k.
I did consider using the A1 and leaving the X5 to my wife, however the A1 isn't big enough for the kit plus a passenger and it seemed like a waste leaving the X5 stood on the drive most of the week. So I took the tough decision to put the X5 up for sale, it was a more difficult sale than anticipated due to my asking price being on the fence as far as pre-facelift cars and facelift cars go but it sold.
Started a few threads on here regarding what to replace it with and considered an A6 S-Line Avant, Golf GTE and a few others but finally conceded to the idea of running a shed. It seems like an ideal solution whereby I can run something solely for the purpose of sitting on the motorway and I should have mentioned if I pass the course it will see me working from a different location, also involving a motorway commute.
I made a few calls, had a look on eBay, Gumtree, FaceAche etc. but couldn't really see much that appealed or ticked the boxes. Ideally I wanted an estate car as we have a small dog which travels in a crate plus our daughter likes to take her bike/scooter etc. nearly everywhere. Didn't want a diesel as I was convinced by others on here that my mileage wouldn't really justify the added expense/risk.
Part of me wanted something 'old fashioned' and 'proper' mechanical that if it broke I could probably find a video on YouTube and get the parts at Euro Car Parts to fix it.
Eventually I spoke with a trader friend of mine who had just taken in a 2002 Mondeo 1.8 LX estate in silver, it had 145,000 miles on the clock and was MOT'd until Sept 2018. The last MOT saw an advisory for a leaky exhaust and misting of oil on one of the shocks so don't think it will take much to get it through this years test.
Its perfect, for what I need its spot on - haven't managed to snap any pics yet but will post some up tomorrow. Very excited to loose my Shedding Virginity and hope this relationship will last the distance, if it looks to be a keeper then my plan will be later in the year to look for a weekend toy perhaps E92 M3, C63 something that I can really look forward to all week.
So for now I will leave it there, not really sure what if anything needs doing right away, will probably order a boot liner for it to satisfy my OCD.
Si
Last month my wife treated herself to an A1 S-Line which is our 'nipping about' car and useful for the school run, clubs etc. she works from home so it doesn't see huge mileage and I have to say initial impressions of the 1.2TFSi are very good!
So a change at work sees me commencing a course in April which will last for 3 months and will also entail a daily jaunt up and down the motorway with a boot full of kit. I was reluctant to use the X5 all be it possibly the perfect car for such a job, the main reason being it was on 86k which for a '10 plate car, I felt was 'nice' mileage but aware it was getting close to the psychological numbers of 90k and I knew the 3 month course would push it well up into the 90k range and ever closer to the 100k.
I did consider using the A1 and leaving the X5 to my wife, however the A1 isn't big enough for the kit plus a passenger and it seemed like a waste leaving the X5 stood on the drive most of the week. So I took the tough decision to put the X5 up for sale, it was a more difficult sale than anticipated due to my asking price being on the fence as far as pre-facelift cars and facelift cars go but it sold.
Started a few threads on here regarding what to replace it with and considered an A6 S-Line Avant, Golf GTE and a few others but finally conceded to the idea of running a shed. It seems like an ideal solution whereby I can run something solely for the purpose of sitting on the motorway and I should have mentioned if I pass the course it will see me working from a different location, also involving a motorway commute.
I made a few calls, had a look on eBay, Gumtree, FaceAche etc. but couldn't really see much that appealed or ticked the boxes. Ideally I wanted an estate car as we have a small dog which travels in a crate plus our daughter likes to take her bike/scooter etc. nearly everywhere. Didn't want a diesel as I was convinced by others on here that my mileage wouldn't really justify the added expense/risk.
Part of me wanted something 'old fashioned' and 'proper' mechanical that if it broke I could probably find a video on YouTube and get the parts at Euro Car Parts to fix it.
Eventually I spoke with a trader friend of mine who had just taken in a 2002 Mondeo 1.8 LX estate in silver, it had 145,000 miles on the clock and was MOT'd until Sept 2018. The last MOT saw an advisory for a leaky exhaust and misting of oil on one of the shocks so don't think it will take much to get it through this years test.
Its perfect, for what I need its spot on - haven't managed to snap any pics yet but will post some up tomorrow. Very excited to loose my Shedding Virginity and hope this relationship will last the distance, if it looks to be a keeper then my plan will be later in the year to look for a weekend toy perhaps E92 M3, C63 something that I can really look forward to all week.
So for now I will leave it there, not really sure what if anything needs doing right away, will probably order a boot liner for it to satisfy my OCD.
Si
Sorry to disappoint on both the lack of photos and the fact it’s not a Montego - my dad had a Montego Countryman when I was growing up, thought it was the dogs dangles!!! Lol!!!
Will post some pics tomorrow, MPG sounds promising though.
Amazing what you can buy for your money if not too fussy - watch this space.......
Si
Will post some pics tomorrow, MPG sounds promising though.
Amazing what you can buy for your money if not too fussy - watch this space.......
Si
Ok so as promised some pictures of the beast!!!
Check out the options - CD/radio, cup holder, A/C and the amazing heated front screen, 4 electric windows and electric door mirrors and this is just an LX!!!!!!!
And here is the odometer -
So watch this space, initial impressions are very comfy most things seem to work with the exception of the central locking?!? It locks but doesn't unlock........its bouncy but in a comfy way and a much smoother ride than an M Sport X5 on 20" rims with rubber band tyres!
Get the feeling this could be a good relationship but don't want to speak to soon, it needs some mats and a boot liner (OCD me!) and we will see how we go.
Si
Check out the options - CD/radio, cup holder, A/C and the amazing heated front screen, 4 electric windows and electric door mirrors and this is just an LX!!!!!!!
And here is the odometer -
So watch this space, initial impressions are very comfy most things seem to work with the exception of the central locking?!? It locks but doesn't unlock........its bouncy but in a comfy way and a much smoother ride than an M Sport X5 on 20" rims with rubber band tyres!
Get the feeling this could be a good relationship but don't want to speak to soon, it needs some mats and a boot liner (OCD me!) and we will see how we go.
Si
M1C said:
Very good cars.
My stepdad has just had to let his go. (2002 (51) 1.8 LX in metallic green, 127k miles). He had it dor 3/4 years and only paid £300 for it back then ( cheap trade in car at work) MOT was coming up and there were SO many things to fix, it just wasn't worth it.
However, up until near the end, it was still a good car and nice to drive.
The 1.8 in the estate body wont win any awards for performance but it's a fine engine. It goes as it's own pace but like others have said, it wasn't too heavy on fuel. I would think 40+mpg will be possible on your commute if you dont cane it along too much.
The thing i liked about it was - it had a nice smooth ride and was comfortable. Wafty. This waftiness did translate to a rather bouncy back end on the twisties but his car could have (probably definitely) done with a suspension refurb or something). Nice steering with good feel, nice gearchange. Typical Ford really, nice to drive. I gather the 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines are in fact Mazda engines.
Anyway, purely as a workhorse, it was brilliant. Boot is huge. His spent most of his life with the rear seats down and you could get LOADS in there.
Faults - well, rust. His was rusty along the inside of the doors bottom edge. Mainly cosmetic.
I think rear subframes can go?
Rear brake calipers - he ended up having to get both replaced after perservering for ages with them sticking and binding (and freeing them off)
I think that on the 2003/4 revised model, they solved this with different calipers. Cars like yours may be affected, in that case.
Erm,,his central locking went. Only working on certain doors, etc. The car was well and truly in shed territory so faults were bodged or ignored rather than fixed.
Good car - and i hope yours is good too
Your observations I concur with exactly, its definitely 'bouncy' but in a comfortable and waft type way. The rear end feels a little wayward but no knocking or nasty noises and I think all around it could do with some air in the tyres so that might sharpen things up a little.My stepdad has just had to let his go. (2002 (51) 1.8 LX in metallic green, 127k miles). He had it dor 3/4 years and only paid £300 for it back then ( cheap trade in car at work) MOT was coming up and there were SO many things to fix, it just wasn't worth it.
However, up until near the end, it was still a good car and nice to drive.
The 1.8 in the estate body wont win any awards for performance but it's a fine engine. It goes as it's own pace but like others have said, it wasn't too heavy on fuel. I would think 40+mpg will be possible on your commute if you dont cane it along too much.
The thing i liked about it was - it had a nice smooth ride and was comfortable. Wafty. This waftiness did translate to a rather bouncy back end on the twisties but his car could have (probably definitely) done with a suspension refurb or something). Nice steering with good feel, nice gearchange. Typical Ford really, nice to drive. I gather the 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines are in fact Mazda engines.
Anyway, purely as a workhorse, it was brilliant. Boot is huge. His spent most of his life with the rear seats down and you could get LOADS in there.
Faults - well, rust. His was rusty along the inside of the doors bottom edge. Mainly cosmetic.
I think rear subframes can go?
Rear brake calipers - he ended up having to get both replaced after perservering for ages with them sticking and binding (and freeing them off)
I think that on the 2003/4 revised model, they solved this with different calipers. Cars like yours may be affected, in that case.
Erm,,his central locking went. Only working on certain doors, etc. The car was well and truly in shed territory so faults were bodged or ignored rather than fixed.
Good car - and i hope yours is good too
As I say only two minor advisories last year so hoping for another ticket come Sept, if I can get 18/24 months out of it then its literally free motoring. MPG wise I am not overly worried but 40 would be great, it was on the light today so put £35 in and it filled it 3/4 full.
I am most excited about the heated front screen!!!!!
Si
Fastdruid said:
Exterior looks really clean. Seats look a bit used but not surprising with nearly 150k on it!
I think the Mk3 came far better spec'd for the lower models than the old Mk2, certainly it's not quite so obvious what is missing, I recall being in a work colleagues Mk2 LX and there were a sea of blanking plates and empty spaces where there was stuff on mine!
Certainly the 1.8i isn't going to get anyone particularly excited... but I found it quite a sweet engine, if not *quite* as rev happy as the older Mk1 versions it was certainly more happy to rev than the 2.0i which always felt to me as if it wasn't particularly happy to rev past 5k.
Yeah to be fair there are no obvious signs of rust in the usual places, needs a good clean and new set of quality wiper blades - hate cheap wipers!!! Not many blank switches and like I say far more extras than I would of thought an LX would come with! Drivers seat has had a hard life although my photo isn't great, good wet vac throughout and it should rejuvenate it slightly.I think the Mk3 came far better spec'd for the lower models than the old Mk2, certainly it's not quite so obvious what is missing, I recall being in a work colleagues Mk2 LX and there were a sea of blanking plates and empty spaces where there was stuff on mine!
Certainly the 1.8i isn't going to get anyone particularly excited... but I found it quite a sweet engine, if not *quite* as rev happy as the older Mk1 versions it was certainly more happy to rev than the 2.0i which always felt to me as if it wasn't particularly happy to rev past 5k.
It definitely isn't going to set the world alight although I hope the 'second' car might have that box covered!
Si
Fastdruid said:
Ford seem to be a bit of an oddity, some of them seem to rust badly but the Mondeo seems pretty solid. Given its age there was nothing significant on my Mk2, this was the only rust on it... but we're talking 174k and 15 years old by this stage.
I kind of miss that car... not because it was in any way exciting but I liked it in the same way you like a comfortable pair of old shoes.
Thats pretty good if thats the only rust in 15 years!!!I kind of miss that car... not because it was in any way exciting but I liked it in the same way you like a comfortable pair of old shoes.
Si
martin mrt said:
Great choice for a shed, my first Mondeo was a 2001 1.8LX hatchback and I loved it.
Get genuine mats on e bay, along with OEM wheel trims, should be less than £70 and will transform the look
You will enjoy it.
Thats my next stop.......just debating carpet or rubber mats? Prefer carpet for looks but rubber is probably more practical, hate the wheel trims with a passion!!!Get genuine mats on e bay, along with OEM wheel trims, should be less than £70 and will transform the look
You will enjoy it.
Si
Its the little things.....lol!!! Trims should smarten up the exterior though and mats will cheer up inside as it has none.
Just loaded boot up with some of my work kit for tomorrow - I didn't realise how big it was in there, reckon its comparable to the X5 at least!!!! Also bit of a result but I didn't realise the load cover is still in situ, looked at a fair few cars and these seem to have a habit of going missing.
Si
Just loaded boot up with some of my work kit for tomorrow - I didn't realise how big it was in there, reckon its comparable to the X5 at least!!!! Also bit of a result but I didn't realise the load cover is still in situ, looked at a fair few cars and these seem to have a habit of going missing.
Si
M3333 said:
I really like that, looks very honest and original, not messed with. Did it come with much history or many previous owners? Heated front screen too? I wish all cars came with these! Good luck with it, a bargain for the price you paid and a great motorway cruncher. I would also prefer the petrol with no nasty injectors or turbos to go wrong?
The last owner has owned it for 15 years!!!!!!!! Loads of paperwork and servicing receipts which is encouraging, prior to that it only had one owner so I am the third. Its very much as Mr Ford intended and the heated front screen is a missed trick by all manufacturers, although season wise I am guessing I won't be seeing much use out of it for the minute.Its all very simple under the bonnet, old school mechanical which if it breaks it should be an easy fix.
Si
Ok so its been pretty steady motoring so far, filled it up with £35 of unleaded last Thurs and here I sit typing and its still running on that with 180 miles under its belt and just less than a quarter of a tank to go - not sure what shape the tank is so it could vanish all of a sudden or conversely last for ages?!?!
It has a tendency to switch on the ABS light now and again but it often goes out under its own steam so not sure if thats just an age thing.
I gave it a good clean today alongside Mrs Sits A1 and it came out really rather smart, I also fitted the genuine Ford mats which have improved the interior no end and if wasn't for the doggy seat it would look like a car half its age. Also the wheel trims arrived and look cracking, I know they are from a MK4 but as mentioned above they were half the price of the MK3 trims and still genuine Ford.
Also to add to my surprise at just how well specced this car is for an LX I found an electric seat height button on the drivers seat which still functions perfectly - incredible!
Here it is looking quite 'taxi' lol -
New mats -
Special seat button -
And here it is after its bath and sporting its new wheel trims -
So thats it for now, we soldier on quite happily and bouncy and the next thing will be a fresh set of plates from Ford to get rid of the sad looking rusty plates and I think thats pretty much it for a minute. It will soon be called into duty ferrying me and a load of kit back and forth up the motorway. Whilst I shed along thoughts turn to an impending weekend toy.........
Si
It has a tendency to switch on the ABS light now and again but it often goes out under its own steam so not sure if thats just an age thing.
I gave it a good clean today alongside Mrs Sits A1 and it came out really rather smart, I also fitted the genuine Ford mats which have improved the interior no end and if wasn't for the doggy seat it would look like a car half its age. Also the wheel trims arrived and look cracking, I know they are from a MK4 but as mentioned above they were half the price of the MK3 trims and still genuine Ford.
Also to add to my surprise at just how well specced this car is for an LX I found an electric seat height button on the drivers seat which still functions perfectly - incredible!
Here it is looking quite 'taxi' lol -
New mats -
Special seat button -
And here it is after its bath and sporting its new wheel trims -
So thats it for now, we soldier on quite happily and bouncy and the next thing will be a fresh set of plates from Ford to get rid of the sad looking rusty plates and I think thats pretty much it for a minute. It will soon be called into duty ferrying me and a load of kit back and forth up the motorway. Whilst I shed along thoughts turn to an impending weekend toy.........
Si
Benjijames28 said:
I wanted a MK3 Mondeo as my first shed, only ended up with my Toyota avensis because I needed a car and it was there and at a good price.
Hope the Mondeo treats you well.
Thank you, hopefully it will do all that is required of it - I am considering the suggestion earlier in the thread about replacing the seats with some less 'used' examples. Few interior sets on eBay but not sure if hatchback will fit estate as there are far more hatchback interiors than estate??Hope the Mondeo treats you well.
It all looks the same to be fair.
Si
RS Grant said:
Like it! These are a top idea for a shed, I've had three MK2s (2.0 Zetec and two ST200) and a couple of years or so ago I bought an '04' MK3 1.8 Ghia X hatchback for shed money and couldn't believe the level of spec they came with.. xenons, heated/cooled seats, climate control etc.. so much car for the money.
Lol you found my shed page!!!! It does exactly what it says on the tin although my 7 year old turned her nose up this morning and as we were driving along she said -‘Dad can I say something......I don’t really like this car, it’s a bit of a banger and not very fast’
It made me smile so the obvious question was -
‘What should Dad get then?’
To which she replied -
‘I think you should get a Porsche but check with Mum first!’
I was in stitches bless her, a car snob at 7! I managed to take Mrs Sit out today to do the food shop - far more room in the Mondeo than her A1 although as we were walking out the door she still said ‘Are you sure you don’t want to take my car?’
Anyway food shop done the fuel light came on so another £35 of finest unleaded, quick calculation suggests about 32mpg on the last tank which is ok. I haven’t been doing my motorway trips yet just some local commuting of around 8 miles so it’s to be expected.
Si
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